Following up last week’s fireworks in Hereford and Jacksonville, Northern Baltimore County has an additional two firework shows this weekend if you’re itching for more. A complete list of firework shows throughout Baltimore County can be found here.

Shows on Friday, July 3rd and Saturday July 4th at 8 PM. You’ll need to purchase tickets online in advance. $30 for adults, $20 for children 12 and under.

Saturday, July 4th at dusk. If you had this one on your list hopefully you got your ticket early because they have sold out!

Independence Day in Bel Air | Rockfield Park & Locations Around Bel Air

Fireworks will start around 9:30 PM on July 4th and can be viewed at any of the designated areas in Bel Air. There are many other events going on throughout the day, including Horseshoe competition at Rockfield Park and family contests such as the water balloon toss and watermelon eating at Shamrock Park! You can see more information on these events and schedule here.

Fireworks start at sundown, which likely means around 9:30 PM. However the gates open at 4 PM with food and live music available 5:30 - 8:30 PM. You can bring coolers into this event, just make sure to leave the alcohol and glass at home. Admission is $5 per car.

Hopefully you didn’t miss the fireworks on July 2nd, but either way there is still time to enjoy the carnival! Rides are operating from 6 - 10 PM through July 4th, with live music and dinner platters available each night.

1301 R York Road, Lutherville | Friday, July 3rd, 10AM - 3PM

Bring the kids to ring in America’s 250th birthday with Ben Franklin himself! In addition to suiting up in fire fighting gear and seeing lots of cool and historic firetrucks, kids can also ride in a horse-drawn fire hose wagon (11 AM - 2 PM) and paint a mini fire hydrant. Admission is free and food and beer will be available for purchase from Smoke-n-Wheels BBQ, Kona Ice, and Guilford Hall Brewery. Check out the event page here.

This past week our daughter checked out a book from the Hereford library which discussed the very basics of Independence Day. Most of it was spent presenting how we celebrate: with parades, fireworks, and heavy hot dog consumption. But it also mentioned independence from Great Britain (go figure!). Our daughter pointed at the British flag, and asked me “What’s that?”. One question led to another, and before I knew it, I was struggling to explain what freedom means in a way that a 5-year-old can comprehend.

I’m starting to realize that 5-year-olds have a knack for asking questions that sound so simple until you try to answer them. The kinds of questions you think you understand, until someone ask you to put it into words.

The best I could come up with in the moment was: Freedom is being able to make choices in your life, as long as they aren’t hurting or preventing other people from doing the same.

I realize that this is far from a perfect definition. But that’s ok. It’s my hope that we have plenty of years ahead to continue chatting, asking questions, and refining our understanding.

Parenting isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present, and keeping the conversation going.

I hope you and your family have a happy and safe Independence Day!

And if you have a moment this weekend, give it a shot. What does freedom mean to you?